Jane Wines RM, BSc(Hons) Midwifery
Jane Wines
I qualified as a nurse in the UK in 1989 and worked for a while in burns and plastic surgery. After my husband and I married we decided to travel, and spent a year camping and trucking around Africa. On our return we started our family, and my interest in childbirth began.
Whilst my son was young I retrained as a childbirth teacher – taking 2 years to learn about pregnancy and childbirth with the National Childbirth Trust. The NCT is Europe's largest charity focusing on pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting. As well as providing childbirth classes and postnatal support, my work included representing parents views on the maternity services liaison committee at the local hospital. Here decisions around the running of the maternity services were made, and feedback from consumers acted upon. This gave me great insight into how other parents viewed their care, especially those areas which they found lacking. During this time I also taught breastfeeding classes, and with 3 very different breastfeeding experiences myself am able to support women with their breastfeeding challenges.
I knew I wanted to become a midwife, but decided to wait until we had finished having a family. My next 2 sons were born at home in water, with midwifery care.
Then with huge support from my husband I took the midwifery degree course at the European Institute for Health and Medical Sciences in Surrey University (UK). I was lucky to have fantastic mentors both on the community and in the hospital, and had a good training in both the normal and high risks aspects of pregnancy and childbirth.
After graduating with a first class BSc (Hons.) in midwifery I worked in both the community and hospital setting. Although I very much enjoyed my work I felt drawn by the idea of true case holding midwifery – not practiced everywhere in the UK. I find the most satisfying part of the work getting to know women and their families over the course of their pregnancy and through to the postpartum period. Coupled with wanting a change and a need to get away from the expense and hustle of southern England we decided to emigrate. Canada has a great model for midwifery care and this was one of the deciding factors in coming here.
It has been a good move, and the children are enjoying their new life by the sea and the mountains, and the more relaxed schooling!
Getting registered in BC is a rigorous process, and during the year and a half that it took to do this, I worked as a nurse on the labour and delivery suite at BC Women's hospital. This time gave me great insight into the health system and maternity care here in BC. It also highlighted to me the desperate need for more midwives, and for parents in BC to learn about the role of midwifery.
My orientation period was spent with Elizabeth, Susie and Heather at Commercial Drive Midwives in Vancouver. Now I am pleased to be offering midwifery care in South Delta and Richmond – much nearer to my home in Tsawwassen!
I have privileges in Richmond and BC Women's Hospitals, as well as loving homebirths. I am currently the Head of Midwifery at Richmond Hospital.
"Thank you so much for guiding us through this most amazing experience. We will always remember your incredible patience and support" Patrik "How can we ever thank you enough for all the support you have given us?!? Your support and caring have been absolutely amazing - thank you heaps for Kallie's fabulous delivery and all the care for her unwell Mama! We truely appreciate you and your exemplary practice" Kate & Grant